Dr. John Gaddis, Memorial Award, 2021 Honoree
Dr. John Gaddis of East Machias was the remaining owner of the sixth-generation Gaddis Brothers business. With fields in seven towns, Gaddis Brothers thrives as a 60-year partner of processor Wyman’s. Dr. Gaddis was a board member of the Wild Blueberry Association of North America for more than three decades.
Francis J. Nicholas, Hero Award, 2021 Honoree
Francis J. Nicholas, Hero Award, 2021 Honoree The late Francis J. Nicholas is honored as the longtime manager of the tribal blueberry operations in Columbia Falls, previously the Northeastern Blueberry Company and today known as the Passamaquoddy Wild Blueberry Company. Francis passed at age 80 in 2008. He is survived by his wife, Julia, and […]
Burleigh Crane, Memorial Award, 2022 Honoree
Burleigh Crane, Memorial Award, 2022 Honoree Burleigh Crane was an innovator and pioneer in many ways in the production of wild blueberries on the barrens of Washington County, including controlled burning, irrigation, fertilizers, mechanical harvesting, weed control, and planting trees for windbreaks.
The West Family, Hero Award, 2022 Honoree
Francis J. Nicholas, Hero Award, 2021 Honoree The West family blood runs blue in 4 generations of service to the wild blueberry industry. Frank and Adam West followed in the footsteps of their forefathers as the 3rd and 4th generations, respectively, of leaders at Wyman’s. Frank works as the Director of Purchasing, and Adam as […]
Justin Day, Memorial Award, 2023 Honoree
Justin Day, Memorial Award, 2023 Honoree Justin Day is recognized for his remarkable contributions as a wild blueberry farmer, dedicated public servant, and esteemed member of the Cooper community. Following military service, Justin returned to the family business and became an expert in surveying properties and dedicated his lifetime in service to the Town of […]
Robert Hammond, Hero Award, 2023 Honoree
Robert Hammond, Hero Award, 2023 Honoree Robert served the Maine wild blueberry industry as a harvest crew manager and as president of the Maine Farm Bureau for seven years. Robert began raking blueberries at a young age and continued the tradition with his own family, leading his two sons, Courtney and Darin, to become leaders […]
Keith F. Albee, Memorial Award, 2024 Honoree
Keith F. Albee, Memorial Award, 2024 Honoree Keith F. Albee inherited the family farm, Dew Drop Blueberries in East Machias, and preserved the fields with his wife, Phyllis, and their five children, Sally, Kenneth, Brian, Mark, and Joel. Keith’s broad knowledge about this precious fruit was passed down to his whole family, his friends and […]
Wayne E. Hanscom, Hero Award, 2024 Honoree
Wayne E. Hanscom, Hero Award, 2024 Honoree Wayne E. Hanscom works on the family blueberry farm, Welch Farm of Roque Bluffs, with his daughter, Lisa. He served on the Board of Directors as a small grower representative for the State of Maine Extension, working with others to gain competitive pricing for small blueberry growers. Visit Welch Farm […]
Justin Day, Memorial Award, 2021 Honoree
Justin Day, Memorial Award, 2021 Honoree Justin Day is recognized for his remarkable contributions as a wild blueberry farmer, dedicated public servant, and esteemed member of the Cooper community. Following military service, Justin returned to the family business and became an expert in surveying properties and dedicated his lifetime in service to the Town of […]